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Introduction
'Echo' or 'print' statements. These are language constructs, not functions, and they serve the same purpose of printing content to the screen. While echo can output multiple values separated by commas and does not return a value, print can only output a single value and always returns 1, making it useful in expressions.
There are a few minor differences: print can be used in expressions because it returns a value of 1, whereas echo does not. Print can accept a single argument, but echo can accept numerous (though this is not commonly used).
Echo in PHP, also known as 'echo,' shows output in browsers or the command line. It's commonly used to print text, variables, and HTML code. Print, another PHP statement, is fast and simple for displaying content.
Example of Echo in PHP
Here is an example of displaying a simple string using echo in PHP:
<?php
echo "Hello Ninjas!";
?>
You can also try this code with Online PHP Compiler
Note: print returns a value of 1. This return value can help you out in some situations. This can help you to check whether the output was successful or not. print can output only one string at a time. Let us understand this with the help of an example.
<?php
$output = print("Hello, Ninjas!");
print "<br>";
print "The return value is ".$output;
?>
You can also try this code with Online PHP Compiler
In this example, we have used the print to display the string "Hello, Ninjas" to the screen. Then we have assigned the return value of the print function to the $output variable. The value of $output will be 1. Then we used print to display the returned value of $output.
Difference Between Print and Echo in PHP
Since echo may produce numerous values without the requirement for parenthesis and performs significantly better, it is used more frequently. However, you can use print and echo interchangeably most of the time; the decision between the two usually comes down to your own preferences.
Echo and Print are quite similar, but still, there are some differences between them. Let us understand these differences.
Parameters
Echo
Print
Return Value
Echo does not return a value.
Print returns a value of 1.
Parameters
Echo takes multiple parameters separated by commas.
Print only takes one parameter.
Display Multiple Strings
Echo can display multiple strings separated by commas.
Print can only display one string at a time.
Performance
Echo is faster and more efficient than print.
Print is slower than the echo.
Usage
Echo is used for displaying simple text or HTML code.
Print is used in more complex expressions or functions where a return value is needed.
Control structures
Echo can be used in control structures such as if, while, and for.
Print cannot use for control structures.
Output Buffering
Echo can be used with output buffering functions, such as ob_start().
Print cannot be used with output buffering functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between return and echo in PHP?
When a function returns a value, it means that it has finished, whereas echo sends content to the console or browser.
Which is faster echo and print?
Echo is faster than print due to its lack of a return value.
Can I return echo in PHP?
No, you cannot return echo in PHP because echo is a language construct used to output data directly to the screen. Unlike print, it does not return a value, so it cannot be used in expressions where a return value is needed.
How to print without echo in PHP?
To print content without using echo, use print or printf functions, e.g., print("Hello"); or printf("Value: %d", $value);
Can echo output more than one string at a time?
Yes, echo can output multiple strings simultaneously. This can be done by separating strings with commas. For example, echo "Hello", "Ninjas!";
What is the difference between echo and print?
Echo and print are both PHP constructs used to output strings. Echo is slightly faster and can take multiple arguments, while print returns a value (1) and can only take one argument.
What is the difference between echo and Print_r in PHP?
Echo outputs strings directly to the browser, while print_r is used to print human-readable information about a variable or expression, including its data type and structure, making it useful for debugging and development purposes.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the difference between echo and print in PHP. Understanding the differences between them is essential for efficient and effective coding. While both constructs serve the purpose of outputting strings, their differences in functionality, performance, and usage scenarios make them valuable tools in a PHP developer's toolkit.
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